Hey everyone

I've been having problems with the HUBB Website (probs due to the server change). So here is a double blog entry to kick off my trip. I wrote the post below last Tuesday, 11 July 2023 and was only able to post now. The foto function is not working for me yet - I'll try to add fotos later and in the meantime put enough videos in the text to break it up a little :)

Peace!

Bom dia a todos!

I am very pleased to fire up the blog again. It’s been over three years since my last post and the abrupt end to my trip because of Covid-19 back in March 2020. When I left, I didn’t know when or even if I’d be back. There was no escaping reality. From complete freedom of the road and not knowing what would be next in life to a forced kickstart (get it?) of serious working life in Switzerland. Working a steady job in my home country I sometimes had to stop and think about how we manage to adapt to new circumstances. When people would ask me about my Africa trip – I would say my motorbike is with Senhor Julio in Angola. That phrase very quickly felt like I was describing someone else’s life. It was so far away both in distance and emotionally. And now I’m back in Africa, back to my bike, back to the Amigos da Picada and back to the anticipation of the road ahead – I feel very blessed. When I left on my last trip, I thought this was something I had to do while I was still young, unbound and able. It would be a once in a lifetime opportunity I had taken advantage of as my young self. And now I’m back, older, more experienced and still doing the same thing. Maybe fairy dust is red - like the roads of West Africa and like the gentle rust on Diddy Kong after three years of being stationed in Luanda. I wonder if I’ll ever grow up – at 32 I reckon I’m running out of time to do so. Maybe I’m already the person I’m supposed to become. That’d be ok with me, I think. Ok enough bloomy chit chat :)

I left Oberägeri on 3 July 2023 still very tired from the Openair St. Gallen on the weekend. Mom dropped me off at the bus stop with all my stuff (helmet and two canoe bags). Everyone always says double the money and half the stuff – I still haven’t managed that. My bags were below the allowed 23 kg though (barely) and I made it out of crowded Zurich airport ok (although I did have to go back through security because I forgot to take my tent poles out of my carry-on/camping bag). At the airport I texted Senhor Julio that I was on my way. When he heard that I was going through Lisbon I was assigned the task of bringing a suitcase of secondhand children’s clothes and cell phones from his daughter’s there to Luanda. After three years of motorcycle storage – anything for Senhor Julio. Extra luggage would have been super expensive (USD 160) though, so I only ended up bringing one phone. Tiago picked me up from the Lisbon airport and we spent a great night out downtown amidst good food, weather and tourists. It really doesn’t seem like 11 years since we were roommates in Lima – always a pleasure to see you man! :) The next day I spent mostly napping at Tiago’s flat with a quick intermezzo to get lunch and meet up with Senhor Julio’s daughter for the phone handover. After an early dinner with Tiago, he dropped me off at the airport for my red-eye flight to Luanda. By this time, I had fully recovered from the Open Air and was ready for Africa.

I arrived in Luanda on Wednesday, 5 July 2023 in the morning. I called Senhor Julio and only then found out, that he was in Cabinda, and I wouldn’t see him in Luanda. His sister Angelina sent a taxi to pick me up and bring me to her house and I’ve been staying here with her family for the last week (muito obrigado Angelina!). After a quick stop at her office, we went to see Diddy Kong at Rui’s, the mechanic of the amigos da picada. Back at the house she introduced me to tio Jorge, one of the founders of the motorcycle club. Tio Jorge immediately took me under his wing and has been a magnificent host (muito obrigado tio Jorge!) feeding me, driving around town for motorcycle parts, paperwork and insightful conversations on the African economy and Angolan history. In the evening we went back to Rui’s to watch him and Lizao work on Diddy. I have never done so little (in essence eating, drinking and watching other people work) to get my motorcycle in order. I remember spending three weeks in Conakry sorting my motorcycle and papers by myself three years ago – this time around, with the amigos da picada in my corner, it took three days to get Diddy running and another three days to get all the papers in order. I feel very blessed to be in such good hands. Every day I have been getting wake up calls and pick-ups from tio Jorge to get with the program :). He used to work for Schlumberger in shipping and is more Swiss regarding punctuality than I am. He has the air of an African patron with a biker’s heart – what a persona!

On Saturday, 8 July 2023 the amigos da picada had what they call a “café”. Basically, a party with free-flowing beer, a motorcycle beauty contest and 90s Rap – I was aboard. Sunday, 9 July 2023 I spent with Angelina and the family having an extended lunch and a ride around town in the evening. On Monday, 10 July 2023 tio Georges and I picked up the motorcycle papers that came through from Cabinda from Senhor Julio (muito obrigado senhor Julio!). I only found out now, that Senhor Julio is quite ill with prostate problems and is meant to rest for 3 months. Despite this, he has been helping me from afar. What an incredible person! I can’t tell by the look of the papers, but apparently, I have a prolongation now of my temporary 30-day import permit, that I had gotten three years ago. In the evening tio George’s daughter had a birthday party (feliz aniversàrio Quimera!) and I was invited to join. 

It's Tuesday 11 July 2023 now, I’m writing this at the Miami beach club and can’t quite believe that I’m ready to get going. It’s been nice hanging out in Luanda with the amigos da picada, Angelina and her family and especially tio Georges and his family. I’ve taken Diddy for a spin around town and think he’s ok to go. The carburetor was leaking a bit of petrol yesterday but today seems to be ok. This morning I had a some trouble with a cold start, using the choke it was all right though – and that’s what the choke is for after all. I changed my oil yesterday – and should be good for at least 1000 km now (hail Ray and your oil-tattoo). When riding for a couple of kms, I feel that the engine is revving a bit high – but it calms down again when idling and is otherwise smooth. Honestly, I think I have no excuses left to stay – I’ll let you know how everything goes.

I am so grateful to Senhor Julio for everything he has done for me: three years ago when I had to leave, during these three years storing my bike and now from a far in sorting my papers. I don’t know how all this would have turned out, if it hadn’t been for him. He is an example to me in generosity and kindness - I am sincerely humbled. Um abraço Senhor Julio!

Here's to the road ahead

Chris